All lanes of I-10 East have been reopened as of 3:30 p.m. Thursday, officials said, after being shut down for more than five hours because an 18-wheeler
carrying cement overturned.

Tow trucks pull out an 18-wheeler carrying cement that overturned in a ditch next to I-10 Thursday, causing officials to close the eastbound side of the freeway for hours. (Photo: Sheila Kumar)Diana Samuels, NOLA.com

The 18-wheeler, which was carrying 76,000 pounds of wet cement, had apparently skidded off the interstate and into a grassy, muddy ditch. None of the cement spilled out and no one was injured, officials said.

Motorists were being urged to avoid the route, but as of about 2 p.m., traffic was still backed up past Essen Lane.